In March 2009, the Government of Togo officially requested a UN-SPIDER technical advisory mission to assess the existing use of space-based technology and information for disaster management and emergencyresponse in Togo. The mission, which is scheduled for 13 to 16 July 2009, is specifically enquired to identify potential areas where space-based technology and information could play a greater role, and propose recommendations how to improve Togo's access to and use of space-based technology and information.

Following Burkina Faso, Ghana and Namibia this will be the fourth advisory mission to Africa. Next to two UN-SPIDER staff members, a number of different international institutions will delegate external experts to this mission, among them the UN-OCHA Regional Office West Africa (Senegal), the UN-International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), the World Health Organisation (WHO) (tbc), the National Space Research and Development Agency (Nigeria), the Regional Centre for Training in Aerospace Surveys (RECTAS), the African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in French Language (CRASTE-LF) (Morocco) and the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS). This broad range of expertise and in-depth knowledge will guarantee a high quality of technical advise and an excellent base for south-south cooperation and technology transfer at the same time.